MORE than PHP3.5 billion in Quick Response Fund (QRF) will be utilized to ensure immediate response and long-term recovery for earthquake-hit schools in Mindanao, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday.

The QRF will also be utilized for structural reconstruction or replacement of damaged school buildings and facilities, subject to validation of affected schools.

This is in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure a whole-of-government coordination for immediate response and recovery of affected Filipinos following the magnitude 7.8 quake in parts of Mindanao.

In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said he has already ordered a comprehensive disaster response to 267 schools heavily affected by the powerful seismic event.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na maging mabilis ang pagtugon ng pamahalaan sa panahon ng kalamidad, gumagamit tayo ng mga konkretong datos upang masigurong mabilis at tamang tulong ang nakakarating sa mga apektadong komunidad (In line with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to advance immediate government response in times of calamities, we are using concrete data to ensure that swift and proper aid will be delivered to affected communities),” he said.

As part of its immediate response, Angara ordered the deployment of 130 fully equipped Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS), amounting to PHP235.1 million.

These LCS include emergency power and Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity, which will be delivered across the affected regions in Mindanao.

To ensure learning continuity, the DepEd secured PHP258.98 million to guarantee the printing and rapid delivery of prepositioned learning packets to disrupted learner populations.

Angara also ordered the downloading of PHP43.9 million for classrooms with minor damage, as well as PHP7.7 million for the clean-up and clearing operations across 267 affected schools.

Based on the rapid assessments, 1,391 classrooms sustained varying degrees of structural damage across 267 public schools in 15 school divisions.

At least 896 classrooms incurred minor damage, 296 suffered major damage, while 199 classrooms were totally destroyed, as of Tuesday.

Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato recorded the highest number of affected schools across 14 provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

Learners’ and teachers’ safety

Angara, meanwhile, reiterated that the safety and well-being of affected learners remain the top priority over the resumption of classes.

“Ang prayoridad natin ngayon ay ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga guro at mag-aaral (Our priority now is the security and welfare of our teachers and learners),” he said.

The DepEd has deployed registered guidance counselors to provide critical Psychological First Aid (PFA) and mental health screenings to traumatized learners and staff.

“Kailangan muna nating maiayos at mapatag ang sitwasyon sa ground bago natin ligtas na maibalik ang normal na daloy ng edukasyon sa mga silid-aralan (We first need to fix and settle the situation on the ground before safely returning to normal flow of education inside the classrooms).”

For now, the agency implemented Level 4-Hinto (Stop) in severe-risk areas, in accordance with its newly established Guidelines on Learning Continuity in Emergencies.

It is also preparing a transition to Level 3-Hinga (Check-in) utilizing unstructured learning materials.

To date, class suspensions are in place across 8,208 schools in Mindanao, while 818 schools have already resumed in-person classes. (PNA)